Current TNA World Champion Drew Galloway recently spoke to Sports Illustrated’s Extra Mustard Blog about being endorsed by Vince McMahon and more. You can check out the full interview here and read some highlights below.
Trying to change people’s impression of TNA:
“I understand why people weren’t watching TNA during its dark ages, but I believe in our talent and the matches are phenomenal. If you look at the old stuff, you had a lot of great characters but so much of the work in-ring was crap. Now, there are cool characters and the in-ring product is the highest it’s ever been,” Galloway said.
“TNA has had a negative impression over the past couple years, and I see it as my responsibility to fix that. We have a hell of a show now, and – just like I’ve been trying with Evolve and ICW – if there is anything I can do to improve pro wrestling, I’m going to do it. I’m just going to keep working to get more eyes on the product.”
What Brock Lesnar said to him about 3MB:
“I remember Brock Lesnar walked up and said to me, ‘Why are you doing this?’” recalled Galloway. “At that point, I hadn’t done anything for a long time. When they presented it (3MB) to me, I didn’t want it. But the guys were my buddies, so I said, ‘Let’s put one-hundred percent into this and make it work.’ As ridiculous as it was at times, the crowd started getting behind us,” Galloway said.
Listening to the fans:
“Wrestling comes down to your heart,” said Galloway. “How hard you are willing to push and drive to succeed? That’s why guys like Daniel Bryan succeeded. Fans connected after seeing how much he went through and seeing how hard he worked. It doesn’t matter what you look like, it matters how you work.
“Fans aren’t stupid, and you can’t insult their intelligence. Even in-ring, I try to make sure my style is believable. I always tell wrestlers in seminars that the fans are the ones who give you the answers. Some guys are too stubborn and don’t want to listen the fans. Our fans are just as sophisticated as MMA fans, and we should not insult their intelligence in any way. The vocal minority of true wrestling fans speak up and deserve to have their voices heard.”
